Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
तस्य पुत्रो बलिश्चासीन्महादानी शिवप्रियः । येन वामनरूपाय हरयेऽदायि मेदिनी
tasya putro baliścāsīnmahādānī śivapriyaḥ | yena vāmanarūpāya haraye'dāyi medinī
Son fils fut Bali, roi d’une générosité suprême et dévot bien-aimé de Śiva; c’est lui qui fit don de la terre à Hari, venu sous la forme de Vāmana.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
The verse praises Bali’s mahādāna (great charity) as an expression of inner detachment and devotion—qualities that make one “śiva-priya,” dear to Lord Śiva. True giving is shown as surrendering possessiveness, not merely donating wealth.
Calling Bali “śiva-priyaḥ” highlights that Saguna Śiva is pleased by bhakti expressed through humility, truthfulness, and self-offering. In Liṅga worship, offerings symbolize relinquishing ego and ownership—mirrored here by Bali’s gift of the earth.
A practical takeaway is dana (charity) performed with Shiva-bhakti—offer food, clothing, or service on auspicious days while mentally dedicating the act to Śiva and repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to cultivate non-possessiveness.